Padres sign RHP Shawn Hill

Monday March 23, 2009

Padres signed Shawn Hill to a minor league contract today.

Hill has started only 37 games over the past 5 seasons for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.

Injuries have cut short each season since 2004 and Tommy John surgery cost him the entire 2005 season.

In 2007, Hill started the season as the #2 pitcher for the Nationals but emerged as the team's ace early on. In his first seven starts, he lasted six innings or more six times, and allowed two earned runs or less six times. He went on the DL on May 12th, a day after throwing 5 hitless innings, and did not return until mid-August.

In 2008 Hill made several trips to the DL before being shut down for the year at the end of June after just 12 starts. The off season saw him go under the knife once more, having arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow.

In spring training this season, Hill pitched 2 scoreless innings before being released.

For his career, Hill has a 4.93 Era and a 4.11 FIP.

Hill's strength as a pitcher is an incredible, low 90's sinker and a plus curve and change up.